Pattern fitting gear for multicolor printing machines



May 3, 1932. l.. l. TUTTLE 1,856,353

PATTERN FITTING GEAR FOR MULTICOLOR PRINTING MACHINES' l Original Filed Ag. 9, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l' May 3, 1932. L. TUTTLE I 1,856,363

PATTERN FITTING GEAR FOR MULTICOLOR PRINTING MACHINES Original Filed Aug. 9, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 3, 1932. l.. TUTTLE 1,856,363

PATTERN FITTING GEAR FOR MULTICOLOR PRINTING MACHINES Original Filed Aug. 9, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 /NVENTOR ,4 Wim 5 19 ZTTORNEY' Patented May 3, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LEONARD I. TU 'TTLE, 0F BUCHANAN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE STANDARD TEX- TILE PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF OHIO PATTERN FITTING GEAR FOR MULTICOLOR PRINTING MACHINES Appncation meaAugust e, 1929, serial rolls of smaller diameter. Each printing roll is positively rotated and carries part of the composite design which is transferred in various colors to the material on the master roll. Great trouble is experienced in maintaining a true or positive registration, during the printing operation of the patterns or parts thereof carried by the printing rolls, due in a large measure to the fact that the printing rolls must be adjusted While the machine is running. In the machines now in use a Worm-Wheel is formed integral with the printing roll driving pinion. The Worm- Wheel is meshed bya Worm which is mounted in a housing secured to the shaft. When the Worm is turned on its axis it will move the Worm-Wheel and cause the printing roll to be advanced or retarded in relation to the driving pinion. The adjustments are made by shifting the Worm, the operator entering a pin into one of a series of openings in the collar which carries the Worm. As it is necessary to make a number of lthese adjustments, While the Worm and Worm-Wheel are rotating, it Will be apparent that it is a diflicult and dangerous operation.

When one of the printing rolls is not registering properly, even an expert operator Will find it difficult to make the proper adjustments, and he will make a number of attempts to register it before he is successful.l

Thus, considerable Wastage of material results. It is also extremely difficult to procure fine adjustments While the machine is in operation. With. different designs varying diameters of printing rolls are used. This necessitates driving pinions of different sizes. With No. 384,620. Renewed October 2, 1931.

the present type of pattern roll driving means, it is impossible to disassemble the pinions from their mountings or centers Without practicallyrebuilding them. This requires complete units to be kept on hand for all the varying sizes of printing rolls. In accordance with the present invention, a pattern fitting gear is provided that Will eliminate all these troublesome'factors.

Among the objects of my invention may be noted the following: To speed up the operation of registering or fitting the patterns and to greatly reduce the damaging of material; to give a closer and more accurate registration of the pattern factors and produce perfect printing, a feat impossible with the old style gear; to maintain positive registration after the printing rolls have been set and thus prevent imperfect printing; to provide a pattern fitting gear from Which the driving pinion may be easily and quickly removed to substitute another and thus eliminate the expense of providing complete units for all the different sizes of printing rolls; to make it safe for the operator to effect quick and close adjustments of the printing rolls While the machine is in operation; and to so construct the adjusting means and locate the manipulating element thereof as to render it accessible at all times, regardless of the operating speed of the machine, and enable the quick anld accurate adjustment of all the printing ro ls.

With the above objects in view and others Which Will be noted during the course of this description, my invention consists in the parts, features, elements and combinations thereof hereinafter described and claimed.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood, I have provided drawings wherein:

Figure l is a view showing in end elevation a multi-color' printing machine, having a plurality of pattern fitting gears constructed in accordance with my invention; i Figure 2 is an enlarged view, in central longitudinal section, through one of the pattern ittino' gears, the intermediate part of the shaft being broken away and part of a printing roll being shown in elevation;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 4 is a View showing a fragmentary front elevation of the machine of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates one of the end frames of the machine which is ,provided with suitable legs or supports 6. -The frames 5 are provided with suitable beaings in which is carried the shaft 7. Freely mounted on the shaft 7 is the master roll 8, which is of large diameter. The material to be printed is indicated at 9, and is fed over suitable guiding rolls, one of which is indicated at 10, on tothe peripheryr of the master roll 8, from whence it passes onto other guiding and drying rolls, not shown.

Secured to one end of the shaft 7 is a master gear 11. A pinion 12, mounted on a shaft 13, carried by the frames 5, meshes the master gear 11 and is driven from any suitable power source. The master gear 11 drives a plurality of pinions.14 which form one element of the improved pattern fitting gears,

which are designated generally by the reference numeral 15 in Figure 1. Throughout the specification and claims the term pattern fitting gear is used to designate the complete assembly of one of the unitsfor advancing or retarding the printing rolls as hereinafter described. Since all the fitting `gears are the same, a description of same will simplify this specification:

Each of the pattern fitting gears is mounted on shaft 16, which carries the printing roll 17, seel Figure 2. The printing roll 17 is thus positively driven and contacts with the master roll 8, or the material to be printed on the master roll, and this provides the means for driving the master roll at the same peripheral speed as the printing roll regardless of the diameter of the latter; and it will be understood that, in one set up, all the printing rolls are of the same diameter, or

with very slight variation in diameter.

The shafts 16 are carried in bearings 181, see Figure 4, slidably mounted on extensions 19,y ofthe end frames 5. Means known in the art and not thought necessary to illus-- trate are provided for simultaneously moving the bearings 18, toward or away from the master roll 8, so as to accommodate different diametersof printing rolls. Means indicated at 20, are also providedl for raising or lowering either end of the shaft 16 to facilitate ,inioperatiou Cooperating with each of the printing rolls is a reservoir 21 for the coloring matter. The reservoir is suitably supported'and carries a roll 22 which transfers the taper of the split sleeve 25, and is provided with a threaded flange 31 at 'its outer end. A nut 32 engages the threads 27 of the split sleeve and is tightened against the Iiange 31. This draws the split sleeve 25 inside of the solid sleeve 30 and causes the split sleeve to firmly grip the shaft 16. A libre washer 33 may be interposed between the face of the nut 32, and the ange 31 of sleeve 30, to insure against any possibility of the 4nut loosening. A screw pin 34, threaded into the solid sleeve 30, enters the slot 29 in the split sleeve 25, and prevents the two sleeves turning in relation to each other when being tightened on shaft 16, and also prevents any possibility of the sleeves turning after they have been tightened, the slot 29 also permitting relative longitudinal adjustment of the two sleeves. Thus is provided a simple means for firmly positioning and setting the sleeve 30 on the shaft 16.

Threaded on the flange 31, is another nut 35, provided with a shoulder 36 which bears against a shoulder on the nut 32. A bre washer 37 may be interposed between these two shoulders. The nut 35, after being properly positioned, is held in place by a set screw 38. The nut 35 acts as an abutment and for this purpose is provided with ball races on both sides to accommodate ball bearings 39 and 40. The solid sleeve 30 acts as a guide for the pinion 14, and is provided with a spiral key 41, which may be welded thereon or formed integral with said sleeve 30. The pinion 14 is provided with an extended hub 42 which has a spiral keyway 43 in its inner surface and is externally threaded at 44. The threaded hub 42 is engaged by a threaded eX- tension of an outer sleeve 45. A hand wheel 46 is secured by bolts 47 to the outer end of the sleeve 45. Secured on a shoulder 48 of the sleeve 45 is a ball thrust plate 49 for the roller bearings 39. Another Aball thrust plate 50 is secured between the end of the sleeve 45 and the handwheel 46 for the ball bearing 40.

The ball bearings 39 and 40 act to reduce friction when the handwheel 46 is being turned to advance or retard the printing rolls 17 in relation to the driving pinions 14 by virtue of thespiral key 41 engaging the spiral keyway 43 in the driving pinion. The pinion 14 being in mesh with the master gear 11 will be moved toward or away from the handwheel 46 when said wheel is turned. The spiral keyway 43 on the hub of the pinion will be engaged by the spiral key 41 on the iXed sleeve 30, thus the longitudinal movement of the pinion will cause a rotary movement of the shaft 16 which in turn will `result in advancing or retarding the printing roll. Due to the wide variation in pitch between the threads 44 and the spiral key 41 and the pressure exerted between the printing rolls 17 and the master roll 8, after an adjustment has been made, the parts will maintain their respective positions and can only be moved by manipulating the handwheel 4,6.

When the machine is in operation the several pattern fitting gears, surrounding the master roll 8, are rotating. Due to various conditions, such as the material stretching or other irregularities, the pattern on one of ally the printing rolls often gets out of register. With my improved pattern fitting gear, it is a simple matter to correct this. When the operator wishes to move one of the printing rolls in one direction, he grabs the handwheel 46, and holds it back probably for only a fraction of a second. If he wishes to move the printing roll in the other direction, he turns the handwheel lslightly in the direction ofI its rotation. Thus exceedingly accurate and minute, as well as extensive, ad

justments can be attained with rapidity and ease and without danger to the operative. The Work done, on a machine provided with my pattern fittingA gears, is perfect, since accurate adjustments and emplacements of thev pattern or design parts can be accomplished -quickly and with ease; and the operative is enabled to make the adjustments necessary in quick response -to his mental telegraphy, and produce close registration of pattern parts and designs. These results cannot be obtained on machines now in use and not equipped with niy invention. The speed of the machine can be greatly increased, due to the facility of adjustment of my pattern fitting gears, and production can be proportionincreased with minimum wastage. When the machine is running at high speed, it might be diiicult to turn the'handwheel in the direction of its rotation to advance the pattern; but, the desired result can be accomplished by holdingback, or turning back, the other wheels momentarily. This would be impossible with the old type pattern fitting gear.

When it is desired to change gears, it is only necessary to unscrew the handwheel until the gear falls oif. The center is then set into the desired gears, and the handwheel is turned to draw the gear on the key, after which it is ready for use. Thus the expense of maintaining complete units for all dif v ferent sized gears is eliminated, since they are interchangeable with the adjusting means.

Having thus-described my invention, what in combination, a master roll; a plurality of printing rolls; a master gear; and means whereby said printing rolls may be advanced or retarded to iit the pattern being printed, said means comprising pinions engaging said master gear, and sleeves engaging said pinions, said sleeves being rotatably mounted and having means for moving said pinions longitudinally when rotated so as to impart a rotary movement to said printing rolls.

2. A multicolor printing machine having, in combination, a master roll; a plurality of printing rolls; a master` gear; and means whereby said printing rolls may be advanced or retarded to fit the pattern being printed, said means comprising pinions engaging said master gear, sleeves having threaded engagement with said pinions, handwheels secured to said sleeves, said sleeves being rotatably mounted so as to move said pinions longitudinally by virtue of said threaded engagement, and means whereby said longitudinal movement of said pinions will impart a rotary movement to said printing rolls.

3. A multicolor printing machine having, in combination, a master roll; a plurality of printing rolls; a master gear; and means whereby said printing rolls may be advanced or retarded to it the pattern being printed, said means comprising pinions engaging said master gear, said pinions being slida-bly mounted in relation to the shafts carrying said printing rolls and keyed to said shafts by spiral keys, handwheels mounted on said shafts, said lhandwheels being rotatably mounted in relation to said shafts but held from longitudinal movement in relation to loo said shafts, and suitable instrumentalities between said handwheels and said pinions whereby rotation of said handwheels will move said pinions longitudinally and cause said printing rolls to be advanced or retarded in relation to said pinions.

4. A multicolor printing machine having, in combination, a master roll; a plurality of printing rolls; a master gear; and means 'advanced or retarded in relation to said pinions.

5. A pattern fitting gear, having in combination, a shaft, a pinion slidably mounted in relation to said shaft, and keyed to said shaft by a spiral key, a hand wheel rotatably mounted in relation to said shaft, but held from longitudinal movement in relation to said shaft, and suitable instrumentalities between said handwheel and said pinion wherefrom longitudinal movement in relation to said shaft, and a sleeve secured to said handwheel, and having threaded engagement with said pinion whereby rotation of said handwheel will move said pinion longitudinally, and cause said shaft to be advanced or retarded in relation to said pinion.

7. A pattern fitting gear, having in combination, a shaft, a tapered contracting sleeve mounted on said shaft, a solid sleeve surrounding said tapered sleeve and movable lengthwise of said tapered sleeve to cause the latter to firmly grip said shaft, a pinion slidably mounted on said solid sleeve and conment of the roll, comprising a plurality of telescoping sleeves, a vspiral tongue and groove connection between one of the sleeves and the pinions, and a threaded connection between another of said sleeves and said pin- 7.0

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LEONARD I. TUTTLE.

nected thereto by a spiral key, a handwheel i rotatably mounted in relation to said shaft, but held from longitudinal movement in relation to said shaft, and a sleeve having threaded engagement with said pinion whereby rotation of said handwheel will move said pinionlongitudinally, and cause said shaft to be advanced or retarded in relation to said pinion.

8. A pattern fitting gear, comprising a shaft and a pair of sleeves thereon; cof operating means for adjusting the sleeve relatively longitudinally; a pinion mounted on one of the sleeves; and means between the pinion and said adjusting means for shifting the pinion and sleeves relatively.

9.- In combination, a pattern roll having a shaft extension, a driving pinion mounted on the latter, and a plurality of telescoping sleeves mounted on the extension and connected to the pinion for shifting the latter to control the emplacement of the roll.

10. In combination, a pattern roll having a shaft extension, a driving pinion mounted on the latter, and means mounted on the eX'- tension and connected to the pinion for controlling the emplacement of the roll, comprising a split sleeve, a solid sleeve, an outer sleeve having a manipulating wheel, and antifrictional means between the outer sleeve and the solid sleeve. a

1l. In combination, a pattern roll havincf a shaft extension, a driving pinion mounted on the latter, and means between the pinion and the extension for controlling the emplace- 

